In 1999, it was Mercedes, the first German manufacturer to win at Le Mans (1952), who gave Mark Webber his first chance at Le Mans. But the tall Australian, at the time 23 years old, fell victim to the impromptu take off of his car...photos that circulated the globe, giving Webber "free" publicity that stuck to him like glue much to his dismay, especially early in his career!

So this (too) short experience at Le Mans left him with a feeling of unfinished business. After a great career (215 Grand Prix, nine wins, 13 pole positions, 42 podiums), Webber turned his back on Formula 1 to go into endurance...with none other than Porsche, another German legend, win record-holder at the 24 Hours! For his return to Le Mans, he led the race on Sunday in 2014 before finishing second this year. Now Webber and his teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley are chasing the trio Fässler-Lotterer-Tréluyer, leader in the provisional driver standings. With in the fold a World Champion title that eluded him in Formula 1 in 2010. And of course next year, the win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the top goal of his career.

A final nod to this clearly Germanic story: Webber won with Porsche for the first time at the Nürburgring, the circuit at which he won his first F1 victory back in 2009...on behalf of an Austrian outfit!

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: NÜRBURG (RHINELAND PALATINATE, GERMANY), NÜRBURGRING CIRCUIT, 6 HOURS OF NÜRBURGRING, SUNDAY AUGUST 30 2015, PODIUM. For his first win with Porsche, Mark Webber (at left) was given a special toast by his outfit teammate Marc Lieb, an expert in the German manufacturer and the Nürburgring.